Character strength is required in order to overcome the obstacles, challenges, and hardships of life.
No life goes unchallenged, is free from hurdles and hardship. As parents, it is our purpose to endow our children with the skills, characteristics, and values they will need, not just to survive periods of intense difficulty, but to be ready and able to rise to the occasion.
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Many parents understand this. However, some parents believe they must subject their children to hardship and drive them relentlessly as preparation.
I disagree with this perspective on parenting.
Note: All of these blog posts are based on case compilations involving 100s of the children and families I've worked with over the years.
A safe, secure attachment and a safe and loving home is the strongest foundation for success in life.
Parents do not prepare children for hardship by being harsh or cruel to them. Parents prepare children for hardships by providing a safe, loving environment at home; by gently and intentionally instilling the necessary values and nurturing the character strengths that will be required to face the challenges of the outside world.
It's the challenges of life that provide children with the opportunities to hone character, values, and skills; not the hardships imposed at home.
At the end of each day, we come home to a safe, loving environment in order to recover speedily from the challenges faced in the world and prepare to go back out again.
Love nurtures successful children. Cruelty only weakens and depletes.
Kenneth H. Little, MA / 135 Lee Brook Road / Thornton, NH 03285 / 603-726-1006 / Achieve-ES.com
